Flyers News

TODAY IN FLYERS HISTORY: April 1

MacLeish notches 50th goal, 100th point: April 1, 1973

Rick MacLeish hit two different coveted milestones on April 1, 1973, when he became the charter member of the Flyers' 50-goal club and the second to reach 100 points in a season. Teammate Bobby Clarke scored his 100th point of the 1972-73 season three days earlier.

MacLeish's early second period goal in a 5-4 road loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins brought him both honors. One season earlier, after coming over from the Boston Bruins in the three-way trade that sent Bernie Parent to the Toronto Maple Leafs, MacLeish had not impressed in a 17-game stint with the Flyers (one goal, two assists, three points) or truly hit his stride in 42 games played in the American Hockey League for Eddie Bush's Richmond Robins (24 goals, 35 points)

The MacLeish goal gave the Flyers a 4-1 lead that were ultimately unable to protect. Clarke scores his 37th goal of the season in a three-goal first-period outburst for the Flyers, along with Dave "the Hammer" Schultz's 8th and 9th goals. Bobby Taylor took the loss in goal.

April 1: Through the Years

1972: The Flyers honor retiring goaltender Bruce Gamble prior to playing to a 4-4 tie at the Spectrum against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Two months earlier, Gamble suffered a heart attack during a road game (a 3-1 victory) against the Vancouver Canucks. The goaltender, who survived and did not realize what had happened until after the game, was diagnosed with a heart condition that precluded him from continuing his playing career.

1976: The Flyers lay an 11-2 whipping on woeful Washington at the Spectrum. Reggie Leach becomes the first -- and only -- Flyer to hit the 60-goal plateau in a season with a two-goal game. LCB linemate Bill Barber racks up a hat trick for his 47th, 48th and 49th goals of the season.

1986: The Flyers dominate puck possession (43-17 shot differential) and get balanced offense - goals by Dave Poulin (26th), Rick Tocchet (14th), Ilkka Sinisalo (37th) and Peter Zezel (17th) - to double up the New York Islanders in a 4-2 win at the Spectrum.

1987: Tim Kerr's 56th and 57th goals of the season are just enough for Ron Hextall (28 saves) and the Flyers to earn a 2-1 road win over the Detroit Red Wings. Brad McCrimmon assists on both Kerr goal. A series of fights break out in the middle stages of the first period.

2003: Roman Cechmanek records the 21st shutout of his Flyers career in a 4-0 home whitewashing of the Columbus Blue Jackets but sees only 10 shots for the entire game (3-3-4). Goals by Kim Johnsson (10th), Jeremy Roenick (27th), Mark Recchi (20th) and Radovan Somik (sixth) supply the goal support.

2004: In arguably the best performance of his second tenure with the Flyers, goaltender Sean Burke stops all 41 shots he sees in a 2-0 road shutout win over the Montreal Canadiens. Simon Gagne (24th goal of the season) breaks a scoreless deadlock in the second period, and Michal Handzus (19th) adds insurance in the final stanza.

2013: The Flyers make a trade with the Anaheim Ducks. Philadelphia acquires enforcer Jay Rosehill for agitating forward Harry Zolnierczyk.

2014: Ray Emery (28 saves) is credited with a shutout but the visiting Flyers lose via shootout to the St Louis Blues behind goaltender Ryan Miller (28 saves). The same thing will happen the next year with Steve Mason in goal for Philadelphia and Brian Elliott for St. Louis.

2015: The Flyers earn a 4-1 road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brayden Schenn (15th and 16th goals of the season) scores power play and even strength goals, and Vincent Lecavalier (8th) and Carlo Colaiacovo (1st) tally once apiece. Steve Mason turns back 24 of 25 shots to earn the win.